The New York Knicks continued their impressive playoff performance by rallying from a significant 20-point deficit to secure a thrilling 106-100 victory over the Indiana Pacers. This win narrowed Indiana's series lead to 2-1 in the Eastern Conference Finals. The Pacers held the lead for most of the game on Sunday, but the Knicks seized the opportunity to showcase their resilience, reminiscent of their earlier upset of the Boston Celtics in the playoffs. In that series, New York had also rallied from 20-point deficits in both Games 1 and 2, ultimately clinching the series in six games.
Leading the charge for the Knicks was Karl-Anthony Towns, who delivered an outstanding performance with 24 points and 15 rebounds. The Knicks managed to take their first lead of the game with less than 10 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, a pivotal moment that shifted the momentum in their favor. Tyrese Haliburton led the scoring for Indiana with 20 points, and throughout the fourth quarter, the two teams exchanged leads until New York emerged victorious.
Towns faced challenges early in the game, picking up his third foul early in the second quarter and struggling with his shooting, making only two of his first seven attempts in the first half. By the end of the third quarter, Towns had only contributed four points, and it seemed as if the Knicks were headed for a blowout loss. However, he turned the game around in a spectacular fourth quarter, scoring 20 points in just 6 minutes and 50 seconds. He showcased an impressive array of skills, including a drop-step move in the post, a powerful dunk, and a deep three-pointer that gave the Knicks a vital 94-90 lead midway through the final quarter.
Despite facing foul troubles throughout the game, Towns' late-game heroics were essential for the Knicks. Coach Tom Thibodeau experimented with various lineups, a strategy that paid off in this must-win situation. Moving forward, Towns will need to avoid unnecessary fouls that could limit his playtime and stay healthy, as he appeared to limp slightly as the game concluded. However, if he can maintain this level of performance, the Knicks have a solid chance of coming back in the series.
In a critical moment during the game, Pacers wing Aaron Nesmith sustained a sprained ankle after landing on Jalen Brunson's foot, forcing him to sit out for 11 minutes. During that period, the Pacers lost the lead by 14 points. Even after returning, Nesmith provided commendable defense, particularly against Brunson, who struggled with his shooting, finishing 6-of-18 from the field. However, if Nesmith's ankle continues to hinder him, it raises concerns for Pacers coach Rick Carlisle, who has relied heavily on his bench throughout the playoffs.
Historically, the Pacers' bench has been deeper and more effective than New York's, but after a strong first half, players like T.J. McConnell, Bennedict Mathurin, and Ben Sheppard struggled significantly in the second half. Surprisingly, a Knicks lineup that had not played together at all this season, featuring deep reserves such as Delon Wright and Landry Shamet, outperformed the Pacers' more established bench unit. Moving into Game 4, Carlisle will likely give his bench another chance to prove themselves, but he may be forced to shorten his rotation if Nesmith remains limited and other key players continue to falter.
Towns' remarkable performance in the fourth quarter, where he outscored the entire Pacers team (20 points to Indiana's total), was crucial in preventing the Knicks from falling into a devastating 3-0 series deficit. The Pacers' star players struggled to match his dominance. Haliburton, who previously delivered a clutch game-tying jumper in Game 1, managed only seven points in the final quarter and could not replicate his late-game magic. Although he made two free throws to trim the Knicks' lead to just two points with 9.7 seconds left, the Pacers ultimately ran out of time.
The Knicks' Brunson, who faced foul troubles throughout the game, found his stride late, scoring six points in the final 77 seconds to help secure the win. Indiana's inability to maintain their 20-point lead in the second quarter was detrimental, especially as Pascal Siakam and Nesmith cooled off. After an impressive 39-point performance in Game 2, Siakam managed only 17 points on Sunday, finishing as a game-worst minus-21 in his 35 minutes of play. Nesmith, who had been on fire from beyond the arc in the first two games, struggled to find his rhythm, making just one of three attempts from three-point range.
As the series progresses, both teams will look to adjust and strategize for their upcoming matchups. The Knicks and Pacers are set to face off again in Game 4 on Tuesday, with both teams eager to capitalize on their strengths and exploit any weaknesses in their opponent's game plan.
